Evenflo recalls more than 30,000 car seats over harness issues

ST. GEORGE — Evenflo Company, Inc. is recalling nearly 30,000 combination “Evolve” booster seats because children can loosen the harness without their caregiver’s knowledge. The voluntary recall is expected to start on Monday.

National recall begins on Sept. 26, 2016 of Evenflo’s Evolve booster seat with a front harness that children can access and loosen | Photo courtesy of Evenflo, St. George News

The voluntary recall, conducted in coordination with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, pertains to the harness on the booster seat. According to a company statement released Wednesday, the company is concerned that some children can “access and activate the harness adjustment button without adult assistance and potentially loosen the harness.”

Approximately 32,000 seats in the U.S. and Canada with model numbers 34411700, 34411741 and 34411700C, manufactured before Feb. 9, 2016, are impacted by this recall. No injuries have been reported in connection with the issue, the statement said. The voluntary recall is a result of a “trend of complaints” from customers.

“Evenflo identified this safety concern through our regular review of customer feedback,” Evenflo Safety Advocate Sarah Haverstick said. “We’re working closely with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, and publicizing the voluntary campaign via mail to registered consumers, notices to retailers and updates to social media channels. The safety of your children is of the greatest important to us.”

The company is providing a free remedy kit that will prevent child access and activation of the harness adjustment button and includes a replacement harness adjustment button assembly and installation instructions..

To determine if your child’s seat is included in this recall, go to the Evenflo website or contact Evenflo directly at 1-800-233-5921. Evenflo is asking customers not to return products to retailers.

“If the child is able to loosen the harness, they may not be properly secured in the event of a crash, increasing their risk of injury.”

Graph of car seat recommendations for children from the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration | St. George News

The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration’s “Parent’s Central” resource site can help parents choose the right car seat and provides information to help with transitioning a child from one type of car seat to another as they grow. The site also provides a list of car seat recommendations and car seat installation instructions.

To file a complaint directly with the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration on a vehicle, child seat, tire or equipment call the Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236.

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About the Author

Cody Blowers was raised in South San Francisco, California. A 2013 graduate of Colorado Technical University, Cody earned her bachelor’s degree in criminal justice with a minor in paralegal studies. Through the course of her academic studies she discovered that writing is her true passion, and she is committed to providing credible, integrated news coverage. Cody joined St. George News in 2015, and when she’s not busy chasing the news, she can generally be found chasing her young granddaughter, Kali.